Childhood Immunisation

The World Health Organisation estimates that 3 million lives are saved every year worldwide through immunisation. It is estimated that infectious diseases account for 41% of the disease burden and that infections, such as measles and tuberculosis, account for millions of deaths in the world's population each year.  

Once common illnesses such as diphtheria and tetanus are now rare because of immunisation. But while polio has been eliminated in Europe through immunisation, the threat of other diseases such as measles and meningitis have not gone away in the UK today. Few medical procedures or treatments can compare with the enormous benefits from immunisation - one of the safest and most cost-effective of interventions.  

In Wales all childhood immunisations are provided free of charge.

Since 1987, immunisation uptake in Wales has been measured by the COVER (Cover Of Vaccination Evaluated Rapidly) programme. The scheme is co-ordinated by the National Public Health Service in partnership with Health Solutions Wales and NHS Trusts across Wales. Each quarter, uptake of childhood immunisations is calculated using records held on NHS Trust's Child Health computer systems. These data are used to follow trends in immunisation uptake in Wales. Links to the reports can be found here.

Vaccine Update of Children in Wales

• Uptake of scheduled immunisations in one year old children in Wales remain at or above the 95% target for the fourth consecutive quarter.
• Uptake of the first dose of MMR in two year old children remains at 88% this quarter, following a sustained recovery over the last three years.
• Uptake of the second dose of MMR in five year old children has increased but remains low at 77%. Only 88% of children turning five this quarter have received their first dose of MMR.
• There are marked regional differences in MMR uptake, with uptake of the first dose by two years of age ranging from 81% to 92% by LHB and uptake of the second dose by five years of age ranging from 70% to 85%.

On 18th October 2007 the National Public Health Service produced the latest full year report on vaccination rates in Wales. Measles Mumps and Rubella [MMR] uptake in Merthyr Tydfil and Wales for first [MMR1] and second [MMR2] doses was as follows:

Uptake of the 5 in 1 programme, the Meningitias C vaccine by age 1, and the older ages childhood vaccination rates in Merthyr Tydfil continue to be 'at or above' the average for Wales.